Newberry2

Newberry 2

José Gervasio Artigas was born in Montevideo, and grew up farming, learning how to ride horses, and he enjoyed shooting guns. In all of these areas he excelled, so it came as no surprise when he joined the Corps of Blandengues, to watch the border with Brazil. He was part of the forces that helped liberate Buenos Aires from British invasion, and would eventually become the leader of the independence movement in Uruguay in 1811. He led the Battle de las Piedras against Spain and was victorious. in 1814 he created the Liga Federal, (Wikipedia) which was essentially an alliance of governments who were independent from Spain. In 1817 Portuguese forces defeated Artigas, and he was exiled to Paraguay, (Country Reports) where he would eventually die at the age of 86. He is considered the father of independence in Uruguay, he is even on some paper money.

Here is a portrait of Artigas, a national Hero.